HM the King urges Thais to keep unity for long-term happiness

His Majesty the King has reminded Thai people of the country’s long-established happiness which has been the result of their unity and responsibilities to perform respective duties in support of each other.

The statement was contained in His Majesty’s address to hundreds of thousands of well wishers who gathered in and around the Ratchapracha Samakhom Pavilion at Klai Kangwol Palace, in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, to offer their best wishes to His Majesty the King on his 86th birthday anniversary.

In this photo released by the Royal Household Bureau, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej reads a statement at Klai Kangwol Palace during a ceremony in celebration of his 86th birthday in Prachuap Khiri Khan province Thursday, Dec. 5. HM the King used his annual birthday speech to call for stability. (AP Photo/Royal Household Bureau)

His Majesty the King, seated on the Phuttan Kanchanasinghat Throne in the main hall of the pavilion, granted an audience to members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and her Cabinet, parliamentarians, members of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, as well as the general public. In the televised royal audience on Thursday morning, Dec. 5, His Majesty the King asked Thais to behave and work appropriately to their status and duties in order to keep the nation safe and stable.

This was the first year that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted an audience to well wishers on His Birthday, December 5, outside the capital. During His Majesty’s grand public audience, HRH the Crown Prince offered his humble best wishes and congratulations to His Majesty on behalf of the Royal Family while Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra paid tributes on behalf of the Cabinet, government officials and Thai people. The Parliament President also offered felicitations on behalf of the judiciary and parliamentarians, followed by the oath taking by the Royal Guards led by the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday December 13, 2013 (Vol. XXI No. 50).